Grumbling tummies before recess will be a thing of the past at Ardeer South Primary School now that pupils can enjoy a free breakfast before the first school bell rings.
The Sunshine school convened its first breakfast club get-together at the beginning of the term and more than 80 free, healthy meals have been enjoyed since.
Principal Peter Guest said 65 parents had registered their interest in the program, which is being rolled out across 500 Victorian schools.
According to Australian Bureau of Statistics data, one in seven Australian children arrives at school without having breakfast.
The state government’s School Breakfast Club program is being delivered in partnership with Foodbank to provide students in less well-off socio economic areas with nutritious breakfasts. Mr Guest said teachers at the school had noticed students eating their lunch at recess, which was a sign they may have gone without breakfast, the day’s most important meal.
“The whole idea is to provide for students who don’t have breakfast at home,” he said.
Mr Guest has asked parents who have spare time in the mornings to volunteer as supervisors.
“I appreciate that it’s difficult for parents juggling work and multiple school drop-offs, but we would need less than an hour of their time,” he said.
If you’re interested in volunteering, contact the school on 93632768.
